Latest news with #AlphaEpsilonPi
New York Times
04-04-2025
- New York Times
Vandalism of Muslim Prayer Room at N.Y.U. Is Investigated as Hate Crime
A prayer room used by Muslim students at New York University was struck by vandals who etched and drew graffiti on the walls and soaked Islamic prayer mats with urine, according to N.Y.U. officials and members of the university's Muslim community. The soiled mats and other vandalism were discovered Thursday afternoon in a worship space inside Bobst Library, the university's towering red building across from Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village. An image of male genitalia was drawn onto the wall of the room, along with the letters 'AEPI,' the nickname of Alpha Epsilon Pi, a nationwide Jewish fraternity that was suspended from N.Y.U. in 2015 for hazing, according to a university directory of suspended fraternities and sororities. N.Y.U. said it had reported the vandalism to the police and would conduct its own investigation to find and punish the vandals. The university said those found to be responsible would be 'subject to the most serious sanctions available through our disciplinary process.' 'This desecration of a religious space is vile, reprehensible and utterly unacceptable,' the university said in a statement on Thursday. 'It contravenes every principle of our community, and we condemn it.' Jonathan Pierce, a spokesman for Alpha Epsilon Pi's national organization, said it 'strongly condemns' the vandalism and would 'fully cooperate with the administration's investigation.' Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. Already a subscriber? Log in. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Yahoo
SDSU investigates vandalism, hate crime at Jewish fraternity house
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The San Diego State University Police Department is investigating a recent on-campus incident as vandalism and a hate crime. Members of Alpha Epsilon Pi, who didn't want to speak on camera, confirm they were targeted. The president of the fraternity says he and other members are going through a lot right now, still cleaning up and working with police on the investigation. 'The frats do a lot of stuff, so I wasn't too surprised because this isn't the first email that's come out about stuff like this,' SDSU freshman Mackenzie Lancione said. Lancione is referring to this campus-wide email sent from SDSU's president on Wednesday. It states campus police are investigating vandalism and hateful antisemitic remarks reported by members of the university's community who identify as Jewish. Members of Alpha Epsilon Pi told FOX 5/KUSI off-camera it happened late Tuesday night during a brotherhood event. They say individuals started throwing items at the Alpha Epsilon Pi house, including paint, food and even fireworks. The exterior of the building still shows signs of the defacement. In her message to the campus, President Adela de la Torre states in part – 'any form of hate or discrimination has no place at our university, and we stand together in condemning such behavior in the strongest form.' Fifth-year SDSU student Dylan Farrell says throughout his education he's been aware of issues on campus. 'Racism and like bigotry on campus, as well as a lot of hazing incidents that have caused a lot of school damage and property,' Farrell said. Farrell says he wants to see the school step in and do more. 'Maybe more enforcement because I don't think they should get rid of the frats all together, but I definitely think they should crunch down a little bit on these incidents,' Farrell said. Others are glad the school is keeping them informed even when they're not involved. 'At least that it's being brought attention to it, I think is a good start,' Lancione said. Support services are being offered to any students or staff who need it as the school works to create a safe environment for everyone. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
